How to Train Your Dog to Lay Down & Stay

Training your dog to perform certain behaviors in response to a verbal or visual command is much easier than it looks. The key to getting your dog to consistently perform the behavior you want is effective communication and positive reinforcement. You don't have to be a "dog whisperer" in order to train your dog to lay down and to stay, but you do have to be patient and consistent.

Things You'll Need

  • Food reward
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your dog in the "sit" position. Sit is one of the easiest commands to train, so before you begin training your dog to lay down, teach it to sit first. Your dog should be extremely comfortable in the sit position and be able to perform it every time you give the sit command before you move forward with teaching the "down" command.

    • 2

      Pull your dog's front legs gently forward while using the command "down." This action will cause your dog to lay down. As soon as your dog is in the proper position, repeat the command "down," and give it a food reward.

    • 3

      Continue the process of placing the dog in the "sit" position and giving the down command, pulling its legs out in front and then rewarding it. Do this for up to 10 minutes, three times a day. Within a few days, your dog should be responding to the "down" command without having to be placed into the "sit" position first. The dog should be performing this behavior on its own before you proceed with teaching the "stay" command.

    • 4

      Give your dog the "down" command, and reward its obedience by allowing it to get up as you give it a food reward. Give the "down" command again, followed by the "stay" command. This time, allow a few seconds to pass before allowing the dog to get up and receive its reward.

    • 5

      Continue the process of placing the dog in the "down" position followed by the "stay" command, slowly increasing the amount of time between the "down" command and the reward, until the dog can remain in the "down" position for up to 10 minutes. Keep each training session to about 10 minutes, and only conduct three sessions per day to avoid burnout.